Tropical Kingbird ( Tyrannus melancholicus )
- Sent by Rodrigo Girardi Santiago - 21/02/2007
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22 cm. The upper parts are brown or grayish. The chest and belly are bright yellow.
Distribution:
From Texas (U.S.A) to Argentina. Has expanded its distribution, benefited from deforestation.
Habitat:
Forest borders, cerrado, fields and cities.
Diet:
Mostly flying insects that it catches in small flights from a perch. Follows fires in order to catch the escaping insects. Also eats fruits.
Reproduction:
The nest is made of sparse sticks and is usually placed in trees with hives or with plenty of ants in order to increase safety. The offspring, (2 or 3) are fed by the couple.
Natural history:
Migrates to the north in the southern winter. During this migration it may appear in Amazon in big flocks. In the warmer months it returns to the south to breed. May sing during the night. It is very aggressive toward other birds. Catches horseflies (Tabanidae) even from farmers in the state of Santa Catarina.
